by Wells, Steve
16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
(3.16) “The Lord of peace.”
99 Is God warlike or peaceful?
17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
1 TIMOTHY
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. — 1 Timothy 2.11-12
First Timothy is one of the post-Pauline Pastoral Epistles (the others are 2 Timothy and Titus). Though all three claim to have been written by Paul, they weren’t. They were written in the second century, long after Paul had died.
Still, First Timothy has important information for women, slaves, and dieters. Women are not allowed to have authority over men, must dress modestly and be silent in church (2.11-12). They can’t teach, braid their hair, or wear expensive clothes or jewelry (2.9). Every woman is inferior to every man in every way. But there is a bright side: they are saved in childbearing! (2.13-15)
Slaves must obey their masters; otherwise God is somehow blasphemed (6.1).
And for all you health freaks out there: Eat meat (4.1-4), don’t exercise (4.8), and stop drinking water. Drink wine instead. (5.23)
Here are the highlights:
Ignore “fables and endless genealogies.” (Like Gen 10, 1 Chr 1-9, Mt 1, and Lk 3) 1.4
Homosexuals are lawless, disobedient, unholy, and profane. 1.10
“Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” 1.20
Women are to dress modestly, “with shamefacedness”—“not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.” 2.9
“Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” 2.11-12
Men are superior to women since Adam was made before, and sinned after, Eve. But even though women are inferior to men, they shouldn’t be discouraged because they shall “be saved in childbearing.” 2.13-15
“In the latter times some shall depart from the faith” by becoming vegetarians. 4.1-4
“Bodily exercise profiteth little.” 4.8
Real widows are “desolate” and pray “night and day.” But those widows that experience pleasure are “dead while [they] live.” 5.5-6
You should help a widow only if she: is over 60 years old, had only one husband, has raised children, has lodged strangers, has “washed the saints’ feet,” has relieved the afflicted, and has “diligently followed very good work.” Otherwise, let them starve. “But the younger widows refuse [to help]: for … they will marry; having damnation.” Besides the young widows are always idle tattlers—“busybodies, spreading things which they ought not … Some are already turned aside after Satan.” 5.9-15
Publicly humiliate those who sin by announcing their sins in front of God and everybody so “that others may also fear.” 5.20
Stop drinking water. Drink wine for your stomach’s sake. 5.23
“Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.” 6.1
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be … ready to distribute.” 6.17-18
Avoid science, especially that which disagrees with the Bible (“science falsely called”). 6.20
1 TIMOTHY 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
(1.1-2) “Paul … Unto Timothy” Although First Timothy claims to have been written by Paul, most scholars believe that it was written after his death.
3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
(1.4) “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies.” If we follow this advice we would ignore most of the Bible—especially the genealogies found in Gen 10, 1 Chr 1-9, Mt 1, and Lk 3.
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
(1.10) “Them that defile themselves with mankind” Homosexuals (those “that defile themselves with mankind”) are included on the list of lawless, disobedient, unholy, and profane people.
11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
(1.17) “The … invisible … God.”
49 Can God be seen?
18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
(1.20) “Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” Apparently (see 2 Timothy 2.16-18 and 4.14-15) their “blasphemy” was disagreeing with Paul.
1 TIMOTHY 2
2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
(2.1) “Supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.”
319 Should you pray for everyone?
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
(2.4) “Who will have all men to be saved.”
311 Does God want some to go to hell?
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
(2.5) “The man Christ Jesus”
349 Is Jesus God?
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
(2.6) “Who gave himself a ransom for all”
370 Was Jesus a ransom for many or for all?
7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
(2.8) “Pray every where.”
340 Should Christians pray in public?
9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
(2.9) “Women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.”
10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
(2.11-12) “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”
454 Can women be church leaders?
464 Should women have the same rights as men?
(2.13-15) Men are superior to women since Adam was made before, and sinned after, Eve. But even though women are inferior to men, they shouldn’t be discouraged because they shall “be saved in childbearing.”
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
(2.13) “For Adam was first formed, then Eve.” Young Earth Creationists use this verse to show that Paul believed the creation story in Genesis 2.18-22.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
(2.14) And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 457 Who was to blame for original sin?
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
(2.15) Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing.”
11 Is childbearing sinful?
1 TIMOTHY 3
3 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
(3.2) “A bishop … must be … the husband of one wife.” Apparently, it’s OK for laymen to have several.
16 Is polygamy OK?
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
(3.16) “God was manifest in the flesh.” 349 Is Jesus God?
1 TIMOTHY 4
(4.1-3) “In the latter times” people won’t get married or eat meat.
13 What should we eat?
15 Is marriage a good thing?
4 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
(4.1) “In the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
(4.3) “Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats.”
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
(4.4) “Every creature of God is good [to eat], and nothing to be refused.”
5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
(4.7) “Refuse … old wives’ fables.” What about old husbands’ fables? Old Bible fables?
8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
(4.8) “Bodily exercise profiteth little.”
9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
(4.10) “The living God, who is The Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” “The living God” is the saviour of “all men”—especially (but not exclusively) of those that believe. So even nonbelievers will be saved.
157 Does hell exist?
11 These things command and teach.
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
1 TIMOTHY 5
5 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
(5.3-10)Honoring widows indeed
You should help a widow only if she: has no children or nephews; is desolate, trusts in God, and prays all the time; is not living in pleasure (a widow living in pleasure is the living dead); is over 60 years old; had only one husband; has raised children; has lodged strangers; has washed the saints’ feet; has relieved the afflicted; and has diligently followed every good work.
3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
(5.3) “Honour widows that are widows indeed.”
4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
(5.4) “But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents.”
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and d
esolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
(5.5) “Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.”
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
(5.6) “But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.”
7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
(5.8) “If any provide not for his own … he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
343 Should Christians be concerned with material things?
9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
(5.9) “Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man.”
10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
(5.10) “Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.”
(5.11-15) Never help a young widow (one under 60 years old). When they wax wanton against Christ, they’ll get married, and be damned to hell for rejecting their faith. Besides, young widows are idle busybodies, wandering around from house to house saying things they shouldn’t say. They should get married and have children (though they’ll be damned to hell for it). Heck, some of them have already turned aside after Satan.
11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
(5.11) “But the younger widows refuse [to help]: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;”
12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.